A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

28. Cn.PompeiusMagnus, was descended from the family of the triumvir, but his pedigree is not stated by the ancient writers. He was, most probably, a son of M. Licinius Crassus, Cos. A. D. 29, and Scribonia; the latter of whom was a daughter of Scribonius Libo and of Pompeia, the daughter of Sex. Pompey, who was a son of the triumvir. He would thus have been a great-grandson of Sex. Pompey, and great-great-grandson of the triumvir [see Stemma on p. 475]. It was not uncommon in the imperial period for persons to drop their paternal names, and assume the names of their maternal ancestors. Caligula would not allow this Pompey to use the cognomen of Magnus; but it was restored to him by the emperor Claudius, whose daughter Antonia he married. He was sent by his father-in-law to the senate to proclaim his victory over Britain. He was subsequently put to death by Claudius, at the instigation of Messalina. (D. C. 60.5, 21, 29 ; Zonar. 11.9; Suet. Cal. 35, Claud. 27, 29; Senec. Apocol. Claud.)